Few modern software products are built entirely from scratch. Instead, they rely on a foundation of open-source libraries, third-party components, and proprietary code. This presents a unique problem, developers and stakeholders need a clear view of what external code is in their software. This is where a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) becomes invaluable.
An SBOM is a formal inventory of the components used to build a software product and the relationships between them. It typically includes component names, versions, dependency relationships, and associated license information for open-source and third-party packages. It’s like an ingredient list for your software, making what’s inside it much more transparent.
In addition to making it easy for developers to track which components they rely on, SBOMs provide a vital security function. When new cybersecurity threats arise, companies with accurate SBOMs can quickly check whether their software includes impacted components and decide whether patches or replacements are warranted.
This is especially important for organizations that sell software to the federal government, where agencies may require SBOMs for certain software based on criticality and expect them to be provided in recognized machine-readable formats.
By following the SBOM best practices below, your team can ensure it has the information it needs when it needs it.
Manual SBOM generation is far too error-prone to be sustainable. Integrate SBOM generation directly into your CI/CD pipeline, so every build automatically generates an updated inventory.
Adopting a recognized format keeps your SBOM readable and actionable for stakeholders across the widest variety of platforms. Common SBOM formats include CycloneDX and SPDX. Kiuwan+1
Most of the libraries your application uses will depend on several more. A complete SBOM will capture this entire dependency tree, as vulnerabilities often hide in indirect dependencies.
When paired with ongoing vulnerability scanning to alert you when newly discovered threats impact the components in your software, your SBOM goes from a static list to a dynamic security tool.
Assign someone to own the SBOM accuracy and act on the information it reveals. Clearly define who is responsible for reviewing additions, responding to alerts, and handling licensing conflicts.
To work effectively, SBOMs must be one part of a broader approach to security. Implement Static Application Security Testing (SAST) for your own code and Software Composition Analysis (SCA) for third-party code.
Every open-source component has licensing requirements that may cause legal exposure if ignored. Your SBOM should clearly document license types, so these obligations are always met.
When businesses treat their SBOM as a living document rather than a compliance checkbox, they achieve better results. They spend less time scrambling during security incidents, build trust with customers who demand supply chain transparency, and sleep better knowing whether their software is affected by a vulnerability or a licensing compliance issue.
Kiuwan Insights makes SBOM generation easy, providing teams with complete inventories that can be exported in well-supported formats like CycloneDX (and, in many SBOM workflows, SPDX). With support for 30+ programming languages, the ones your team uses are almost certainly covered.
When combined with Kiuwan Code Security (SAST), you gain visibility into both your third-party components and your first-party code. Once the SBOM is generated, Kiuwan Insights helps you identify vulnerabilities and licensing issues, making compliance easier.
Are you ready to bring increased transparency to your software supply chain? Explore Kiuwan’s SBOM and governance solutions today. When you’re ready to take the next step, request a free trial of Kiuwan today!
SPDX (Software Package Data Exchange) is the most established format, created by the Linux Foundation for license compliance and component tracking. CycloneDX was built specifically for security use cases and vulnerability management, making it ideal for DevSecOps teams. SWID tags focus on software identification and inventory management. Most organizations choose CycloneDX for security-focused SBOMs or SPDX for broader compliance needs, though the formats are interoperable.
Update your SBOM whenever you release new software versions, add or remove dependencies, or patch vulnerabilities in existing components. For active development projects, this typically means updating with each sprint or release cycle. Security-critical applications may require more frequent updates. Automated SBOM generation tools like Kiuwan SCA can handle continuous updates without manual intervention, keeping your documentation current with every code change.
Yes, automated SBOM generation is not only possible but recommended for accuracy and efficiency. Tools like Kiuwan SCA scan your codebase, identify all components and dependencies, gather metadata, and generate compliant SBOMs in your chosen format. However, you should still implement periodic reviews to verify accuracy, especially for complex dependency chains or custom components. Automation handles the heavy lifting while human oversight catches edge cases.
NTIA guidelines acknowledge that SBOMs may contain unintentional errors and recommend including disclaimers. While accuracy is critical for security and compliance, occasional mistakes won’t invalidate your entire SBOM. The key is establishing processes to catch and correct errors quickly. Regular automated scans, version control for your SBOMs, and clear update procedures minimize the impact of any inaccuracies. Focus on continuous improvement rather than perfect initial documentation.
